Spruce Street Harbor Park, Independence Blue Cross Summerfest & the RiverLink Ferry Return With a “Make Summer Yours” Theme

One of the most popular summer destinations in the city just announced the date of its return. The  Delaware River Waterfront Corporation  (“DRWC”) invites visitors to “make summer yours” as it officially welcomes the seasonal reopening of Spruce Street Harbor Park and  Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, on Friday, May 23. The RiverLink Ferry returns May 10 for weekend service and begins full 7-day-a-week service on Friday, May 23. Making their seasonal debut just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

Attracting locals and tourists alike the DRWC offers a variety of activities including roller skating, bingo nights, live concerts, DJs, mini golf, carnival games, and so much more. Aside from entertainment, guests can enjoy a bevy of food and drink offerings throughout their parks and spaces.

Once officially open for the season on May 23, Spruce Street Harbor Park and Independence Blue Cross Summerfest will be open through Labor Day alongside year-round offerings along the waterfront, including Cherry Street Pier, Delaware River Trail, Penns Landing Marina, Pier 68, Race Street Pier, and Washington Avenue Pier.

“Summer begins at the Delaware River Waterfront,” said Joseph A. Forkin, President & CEO of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “With our theme – Make Summer Yours – we hope visitors will escape to the Waterfront to enjoy all that we have to offer. Thank you to our longtime partner, Independence Blue Cross, for their ongoing support of fun, outdoors, and activity at our urban waterfront getaway. Great memories are in store this Summer 2025.”

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest Highlights:

Skating admission ($5) and skate rental ($12) tickets are available for purchase onsite, or purchased in advance online at RiverRink.com. Mini golf, game, and ride tickets are pay-as-you go with purchase onsite.

In addition to skating, visitors can enjoy bites from concession stands and a full-service bar with local beers, wine, and cocktails, and dive into boardwalk fun, including mini golf, Ferris wheel, carousel, Gravity Storm Moon Bounce, carnival games, and pay-as-you-go arcadeplay.

Programs to include:

• Skate with Characters: on the fourth Sunday of each month visit the rink from 2-4pm to skate with your favorite characters from stories, TV and movies.
• Planet Rock: each month on select Saturdays (May 31, June 21, July 12, August 16) from 7-10pm skate to retro rink sounds for this 80s themed DJ night.
• Bingo Night at the Lodge: join us for Free Bingo Thursdays (every other Thursday May 29 – August 21) at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, hosted by Cherry Street Pier resident artist Amy Kelly. The event is free and open to the public, and skating and amenities are pay-as-you-go. 

Spruce Street Harbor Park Highlights

Daily Hours of Operation: Mon–Thurs, 4 pm –10 pm; Fri–Sun, 11 pm–11 pm

• Live and Local: each Thursday at 7:30 PM, welcoming local area and emerging bands.
• Spruce Street Dance Nights, each Friday at the Lazy Hammock, come learn to dance with experts then show off your new skills and dance the night away to live music and DJs. Monthly themes include country line dancing (June), swing dancing (July), and salsa (September).
• Cosmic Rhythms returns to the Lazy Hammock with a monthly series on Saturdays. Join us for an evening of dancing as music lovers throughout the city come together for Cosmic Rhythms, old-school vinyl, world-class DJs, and good company.
• Jazz Summer Nights, join us Fridays in August for the return of Jazz to the waterfront.  Each Friday join us for a free jazz concert at the Lazy Hammock.
• Sunsets at Spruce Street Harbor Park, each Saturday from 3 – 8 pm, with views and summer entertainment provided by HHH Radio, a media subset of Homies Helping Homes, focused on platforming local artists and musicians for various community connection opportunities
• Family Funday with PopUpPlay, each Sunday from 1-4 pm visit the park for free activities with PopUpPlay. Activities include boat building, puppet making, and even constructing a working catapult. Each week promises captivating experiences for kids of all ages with a new make-and-take activity. Activities are first come, first serve and are available while supplies last. Check the schedule for updates.
• Join us for After Work Sessions at the barge at Spruce Street Harbor Park on Fridays beginning May 23. Enjoy live music under dazzling lights at this post-work dance party. It is free and open to the public, and it is open to all ages.
• Come after work for a fun-filled night of music, dancing, performances, food, drinks, and more. Get ready for surprise guest performers, DJ debuts, and giveaways. Start your weekend off right. Hosted by Shekhinah B. of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc.
• Saturday Summer Concert Series: The last Saturday of each month join us for a free concert featuring emerging and established bands from the Philadelphia region and beyond. Time varies; full lineup to be announced soon.

RiverLink Ferry Highlights

DRWC’s RiverLink Ferry, a double-ended ferry boat, will soon open for the season. With two decks, an enclosed main cabin, and a partially covered upper deck, the Ferry offers picturesque scenic trips along the Delaware River, as well as direct 15-minute trips across from Philadelphia to the Camden Delaware River Waterfront for concerts, festivals, and events.

Guests can bring a bike onto the ferry as well as well-behaved pets that are leashed/ kenneled.

A one-day service will be offered on May 10 for roundtrip transportation to MMRBQ at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Weekend service will also run on May 17 and 18. Full, everyday services will begin on May 23 and run through September 1, before moving to Saturday and Sunday only service on September 6 for the remainder of the month.

Tickets will go on sale by early May. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit RiverLinkFerry.com.

Operating Schedule

**May 10 for concert service**

**May 17 and 18 for general service**

Full everyday service begins on May 23 and will run through Labor Day Weekend (September 1)

Weekend and concert service for the rest of September

Full everyday service for Navy Homecoming 250 (October 9-16)

Operating Hours

RiverLink Ferry service begins in Camden, NJ at 9:30 AM, and departs every hour on the half-hour from the Camden Waterfront, and every hour on the top of the hour from the Philadelphia Waterfront. Service runs from until 6:00 PM on weekdays and 7:00 PM on weekends. On event days at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, the Ferry runs extended hours throughout the event.

Ticket Prices
General service: $12 round trip
General service discounted price: $10 (for seniors + students)
Children 4 and under are free
Concert service: $18 round trip